About jbarry

I am a United States Navy Veteran. I served during the Vietnam War from 1973-1975. I was an Aviation Structural Mechanic "E". I was raised in South Boston "Southie" Massachusetts and I now live in Lancaster, MA. My interests are photography, sailing, building and repairing computers, cars, the great outdoors, traveling and now website design. I recently graduated Mount Wachusetts Community College, I received an Associate of Science Degree in Automotive Technology. I have attended Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston State Collage and Massasoit Community College. I have a CompTIA "A+" Certificate and a CHDP title. I have retired from The Department of Revenue where I was a System Analyst. I have worked for HP under contract to The Bank of America as a Field Engineer.

Mission

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), located in Boise, Idaho, is the nation’s support center for wildland firefighting. Eight different agencies and organizations are part of NIFC. Decisions are made using the interagency cooperation concept because NIFC has no single director or manager.

History

The Boise Interagency Fire Center (BIFC) was created in 1965 because the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Weather Service saw the need to work together to reduce the duplication of services, cut costs, and coordinate national fire planning and operations. The National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs joined BIFC in in the mid 1970s. The US Fish and Wildlife Service later joined in 1979. The Center’s name was changed in 1993 from the Boise Interagency Fire Center to the National Interagency Fire Center to more accurately reflect its national mission.

The BLM hosts eight fire crews that are specifically designed to employ Veterans and provide career opportunities in fire and land management. Employment periods generally run from early May through October. Each link below has specific requirements and processes for employment.

The BLM Veteran Crew Information link provides more on the BLM Veterans program:

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
VEOA is a special hiring authority, which allows Veterans to compete for job opportunities that otherwise may have only been available to current permanent federal employees. A VEOA eligible who is selected will be given a career or career-conditional appointment. To be eligible for VEOA, applicant must be either a preference eligible veteran or a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. For additional information go to:

Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
This excepted authority allows agencies to appoint eligible veterans without competition if the veteran has received a campaign badge for service during a war or in a campaign or expedition; or is a disabled veteran; or has received an Armed Forces Service Medal for participation in a military operation; or is a recently separated veteran (within the last 3 years) and separated under honorable conditions. Appointments under this authority may be made at any grade level up to and including a GS-11 or equivalent. This is an excepted service appointment, which can be converted to competitive service after 2 years. For additional information go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx#vraTemporary or Term Appointment of 30% or More Disabled Veterans
Under this authority, agencies may, at their discretion, give a non-competitive temporary or term appointment of not less than 60 days to any veteran who has a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more and who meets the qualification requirements of the position. To be eligible, the individual must be a disabled veteran who has a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more officially documented by the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs. For additional information go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/shav/index.aspx#30

I have to say as a new member of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing that it is one of the best things that has happened to me in a while. I am an avid largemouth bass guy, I’ve never fly fished before and I haven’t fished for trout since I was 15. Well, fly fishing is a blast, I’m liking it a lot. I have also picked up fly tying. I like tying flies too. My flies look as good as anything you can find!

Fly fishing and tying flies, hanging out with other Veterans that are dealing with the visible and invisible wounds of war. Our time together is fun, often quiet and peaceful, sometimes like a family, a little louder. Like laughing together telling stories at the campfire, or meals. The peace and serenity is amazing. Until you set the hook!

The local chapter of PHWFF meets:

2nd Tuesday of each month at the New Patriot Veterans Outreach, 10 Wachusett St., Fitchburg, MA

&

4th Monday at 100 West St., Leominster, MA

All Veterans and Active Duty are welcome to come on down. Join us.

Here are a few photos of us. Last summer in Maine and last weekend at Carbelas. And I would like to publicly thank Carbelas in Berlin for being such awesome hosts and sponsors.